By DAVE SCHULTZ
A development plan for a six-building self-storage complex on Bluffton’s south side was approved Tuesday night by the Wells County Area Plan Commission.
The development plan was on the APC’s agenda for its Aug. 4 meeting which had to be canceled due to a lack of a quorum. Tuesday’s meeting was a special meeting called to deal with that issue.
The matter was approved by the APC members, but some conditions were placed upon it — particularly, that the city of Bluffton signs off on the plan and that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources approves the plan due to floodway concerns.
APC officials said construction can start as soon as city approval is obtained. No construction can be done on areas the DNR has control over until that agency gives its approval.
The four-acre site will be primarily used for boat and recreational vehicle storage, the development plan petition said.
Also Tuesday, the APC approved two petitions sent to it by the Wells County Board of Zoning Appeals.
The first petition dealt with a reduction in the setback for an overhead garage door for a garage addition at 1004 S. Morgan St. in Bluffton. The door would be 11 feet instead of 20 feet from the north property line. The setback reduction was asked by Douglas and Sherry Campbell.
The setback reduction was approved but the entryway into the driveway is not to be increased.
The second BZA petition was filed by Robert and Chandra Petro, requesting a reduced sideyard setback at 3310E-350S in Harrison Township. The request was to reduce the setback requirement from 20 to eight feet. That was also approved.
Tuesday night’s APC meeting was attended by nine of the 11 members — Tyson Brooks, Cory Elzey, Jarrod Hahn, Bill Horan, Josh Hunt, Tim Rohr, John Schuhmacher, Becky Stone-Smith, and Melissa Woodworth. Harry Baumgarttner Jr. and Jerome Markley were not present.
daves@news-banner.com
